A new exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia, in Canberra, is showcasing the work of post-impressionist painter Paul Gauguin. It is the first major showcase of his art in this country but does not shy away from the controversy that surrounds his time living and working in the pacific.
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00:00From different parts of the globe to the nation's capital, the National Gallery's new exhibition
00:08of Paul Gauguin's work was years in the making.
00:12But bringing the French post-Impressionist work down under wasn't without its challenges.
00:17Many museums were quite reluctant to lend it for such a long time and for such a far
00:22destination, but also because many works of Gauguin are very fragile.
00:28It's the first major showcase of his work in Australia and features some of his most
00:32recognisable paintings.
00:34He's a very special artist, you know.
00:37I think he's the first global artist looking at all kinds of works, all kinds of civilisations.
00:47Much of the exhibition features his creative journey in French Polynesia.
00:51And while it transports visitors to the land and its people, the exhibition also acknowledges
00:56the controversy that surrounds this period of Gauguin's life and work.
01:01Everybody knew it at the time, it was normal in a way, his relationship with many young
01:06Viennese, for example.
01:10Accompanying the exhibition, a series of talks, films and podcasts will explore the artist's
01:16controversial legacy.
01:18Bringing his work back to the Pacific was considered a great responsibility for the
01:22Gallery.
01:24And while Gauguin's work is the focus, the Gallery also aims to honour Polynesian cultures.
01:30Like many artists, he has a complicated history and that complexity needs to be explored.
01:36And so by working with Pacific artists, we're widening the discussion.
01:43A new approach the Gallery hopes will allow visitors to take a fresh look at Gauguin's
01:48work.